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znModeratorThey do the Rams starting at about 4:36.
Will the Rams repeat as division champions?
Complete NFC West Team Previews ⬇️https://t.co/w6uTs3vVrY
— PFF (@PFF) August 21, 2025
znModerator.@RamsNFL @ShaunDolac @UBFootball his instincts are the same as when he was playing college. 2weeks in a row. stacking up tackles #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/DjRcJNuZoH
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 18, 2025
znModeratorThis is the golden era of Rams OL coaching. Ryan is a great OL coach, and at the same time the Rams are finding OL at a rate we’ve never seen before.
Speak of the devil.
Today the offensive coordinator, LaFleur, said: “it definitely is the deepest offensive line that we have had. There’s a lot of NFL football players there that are competing for those last spots.” – LaFleur
I assume LaFleur means a lot of players capable of being NFL starters.
August 20, 2025 at 7:01 pm in reply to: Browns next: practice reports & set up for the ps game on 8/23 #157593znModeratorFrom the Podium: OC Mike LaFleur and DC Chris Shula discuss Matthew Stafford, offensive line depth and defensive cohesion
Wyatt Miller
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Rams’ jog through on Wednesday served as the third-straight practice for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is returning from a back injury that held him out of training camp.
Afterward, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Chris Shula spoke with local media about Stafford, offensive line depth and defensive cohesion. Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences.
“In my three years here, I can’t speak before that, but it definitely is the deepest offensive line that we have had. There’s lot of NFL football players there that are competing for those last spots.” – LaFleur
For a Rams team that endured injuries and/or turnover at four of the five starting offensive line positions last season, depth up front is extremely important. L.A. signed veteran tackles David Quessenberry and D.J. Humphries this offseason, and brought back center Coleman Shelton after he spent a year in Chicago. However, that will leave some difficult decisions for head coach Sean McVay, general manager Les Snead and company when roster cuts are made next week.
“There will be some difficult decisions, and that’s what you want,” LaFleur said.
He added that, while those choices are above his pay grade, having to make tough personnel calls at premium positions is a good thing, because it means they have depth. If those three offseason additions make the 53-man roster alongside all five of last year’s starters who returned (Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson and Rob Havenstein), that may leave just one more roster spot in the position group, as McVay said earlier this offseason that they would probably end up with nine offensive linemen.
LaFleur praised Warren McClendon Jr.’s progress on Wednesday, saying he’s “pleased with where (McClendon’s) at” and “he knows he belongs.” McClendon, Justin Dedich and A.J. Arcuri all saw regular season playing time last season, while undrafted free agent signing Willie Lampkin IV (who is currently injured) has impressed in the preseason. There will be a very competitive battle to make the roster at offensive line.
“He looks like Matthew Stafford to me. The coolest part is, he’s just back out there with the guys, doing stuff he loves, operating at a world-class level.” – LaFleur
He may not know exactly how Stafford’s back feels, but LaFleur said Stafford looks like himself. He added that Stafford’s reintegration into practice and the offensive structure is “much harder than riding a bike, but it sure looks like riding a bike for him.”In terms of how the offense may evolve in 2025, LaFleur said it will happen “organically.”
“Obviously, you’ve got your foundation set, there’s a few different pieces, whether it be rookies, obviously bringing in (wide receiver) Davante (Adams) right there, but from the naked eye, there’s going to be a lot of similarities, but then there’s little nuances and little differences that we’ll sprinkle in there.”
“We feel really comfortable with those guys (in the defensive backfield). We feel like we have a really cohesive unit and you kind of add (cornerback Emmanuel) Forbes (Jr.) into the mix, and we were fortunate enough that those guys stayed healthy the whole back half of (last) year, those guys really started to get better… Those guys really started to gel. So we really want to continue to build on the cohesiveness of those guys.” – Shula
When asked about the decision not to add to the defensive backfield this offseason, Shula expressed confidence in the group as a unit. The Rams allowed the 13th most passing yards per game in the regular season (223.1), but that number dropped by nearly 50% (114.0) in two playoff games, the lowest of any team in the postseason. Shula is banking on the continuity created throughout last season to carry over and increase in 2025.
Shula’s own approach as a second-year defensive coordinator is “night and day” compared to this time last season. He said the coaching staff is more connected and his confidence in the players and system have increased with experience. Shula isn’t just learning what works as a coach and play-caller, he and his staff are fine-tuning things and game-planning to their players’ strengths.
“Those guys rush as a unit. So we talk about, you’re not rushing as four isolated guys just trying to beat your guy. When you’re in a four-man rush, there’s certain guys that are going to have the tough down. There’s certain guys that are going to have the opportunity to go win, and those guys understand when it’s their opportunity, when it’s their turn to win.” – Shula
At the beginning of last season, the Rams were getting lots of pressure but often failed to finish plays. By the end of the year, they were communicating with subtle head nods in order to play off each other’s rushing attacks. A year of experience playing together has brought a young Rams front to another level, where they are rushing with their teammates, not just alongside each other.
Defensive end Tyler Davis is one of the young players who benefitted from increasing cohesion throughout his rookie year and a full NFL offseason. He was praised by teammates and coaches consistently throughout training camp, and Shula did so again on Wednesday.
“We really liked him and trusted him last year,” Shula said. “… I just think of him like a starter. If I see him out there, I never think twice about it, and I felt that way last year… And I think this year what he’s done is he’s kind of upped his level of communication.”
August 20, 2025 at 12:43 pm in reply to: That Mark Stufford guy is back practicing at qb…team still cautious #157591znModeratorGotta think they will be looking for a replacement next offseason. Whether that’s a draft pick or not remains to be seen. I don’t know if McVay has the patience for a rookie QB. I’d settle for Joe Burrow.
I don’t know about rookie qbs. It’s possible that as some say, the new qb coach, Ragone, is not just an in-name-only McVay qb coach like all the ones he had after 2017, but a real qb coach who has some say in qb development. Maybe McV has changed in the wake of Goff, or maybe it’s both. Either way Bennett is playing like a savvy pro right now, though of course it’s pre-season. Stiil, I watched him, he’s gettin it done, I wonder what he would be like in a real game against the 1s all game.
znModeratorFrom Doug Farrar, The NFL’s 101 best players for the 2025 season: 80-71: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1075393/the-nfls-101-best-players-for-the-2025-season-80-71
74. Kobie Turner, DI, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead became famous for his “F Them Picks” philosophy in recent years when it was time to exchange draft capital for what the franchise thought would be better ways to win with established stars. That said, when the Rams rolled without a first-round pick every year from 2017-2023, they were very good at plucking future franchise cornerstones from the later rounds.
One such cornerstone is Kobie Turner, who the Rams stole with the 90th pick in the third round of the 2023 draft out of Wake Forest. Turner was a credible enough quarterback disruptor in college, with three sacks and 34 total pressures for the Demon Deacons in 2022 after four years at Richmond, but it’s safe to say that few expected what Turner would do in his rookie season and beyond.
In 2023, Turner amassed 12 sacks and 50 total pressures. That wasn’t just the most sacks for any rookie interior defensive lineman – it was more than any rookie edge-rusher had. Not that we’re comparing Turner or anybody else to Aaron Donald, Destroyer of Worlds, but with Donald’s retirement following the 2023 season, it was Turner who took the crown as the undersized (6’3, 288-pound) guy on that line who could blow things up from every gap on a play-to-play basis. I am fortunate to have an AP All-Pro/MVP vote, and Turner was my Defensive Rookie of the Year in a landslide.
Turner proved that 2023 was no fluke with a 10-sack, 62-pressure season in 2024; he also added 44 solo tackles, 47 stops, 14 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups. Like Donald, Turner is primarily an explosive three-tech player determined to crash through guards, but he’s just as conversant with pressure everywhere from nose tackle to the edge.
The only people saying “F That Pick” when it comes to Kobie Turner now are the opposing quarterbacks and running backs who have to deal with him.
Kobie Turner is an undersized interior defensive lineman who can kill an offense from any gap, but specializes as a three-tech bomber with a power/quickness combination that is a real pain in the ass.
It's almost like the Rams know how to get those types of players. pic.twitter.com/tSuNPazh7r
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) August 4, 2025
znModeratorFrom Doug Farrar, The NFL’s 101 best players for the 2025 season: 80-71: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/1075393/the-nfls-101-best-players-for-the-2025-season-80-71
78. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Over the last two seasons, Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams have completely changed their modus operandi when it comes to the run game. In 2021, the Rams led the NFL with 215 inside zone runs. But by the time 2023 and 2024 rolled around, McVay was calling more rushing attempts with man blocking than any other NFL shot-caller – 205 in 2023, and 189 in 2024. Kyren Williams, selected in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of Notre Dame, has been a major reason why.
Williams got just 35 rushing attempts in his rookie season for 139 yards in his rookie season, but in 2023, he busted out with 241 attempts for 1,203 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Last season, he made it abundantly clear that he was here to stay, with 351 carries for 1,481 yards and 14 rushing scores, adding 38 catches on 42 targets for 197 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game.
Williams is perfectly capable of running inside and outside zone when required, but in each of his last two seasons, it’s been more about straight bully-ball. Last season, out of straight Wham or Duo blocking concepts, no other back had more attempts (70) or yards (311), and when you expand that into other non-zone ideas, Williams has been as or more prolific than any other back in the league.
Kyren Williams beating up defenses with straight up man-blocking schemes in 2023. Williams was the NFL's most prolific back last season behind man concepts. pic.twitter.com/t5lziHVTtM
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2024
Death, taxes, and Kyren Williams blowing up your defense with man blocking in front of him. pic.twitter.com/VAu9cEa4aT
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) August 8, 2025
Williams also gained 716 zone yards (eighth-most in the NFL) on 177 carries (fifth-most in the NFL) with five touchdowns – so again, it’s not as if he’s limited to one thing. Williams just allows the Rams to do more of what they want to do in the run game at the highest possible level.
On August 5, the team made their appreciation of Williams’ efforts official with a three-year, $33 million contract extension including $23 million guaranteed. It ensures that Williams will continue to be the epicenter of one of the league’s most effective ground games.
znModeratorznModeratorThe team announced it placed edge rusher Keir Thomas on injured reserve and waived rookie wide receiver Mario Williams with an injury designation.
znModeratorAugust 19, 2025 at 5:03 pm in reply to: alaric jackson … blood clots? DJ Humphries … any good? #157584znModeratorGary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay said he was hopeful that LT Alaric Jackson would be available for the opener.znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
Willie Lampkin IV to miss ‘a few weeks’ after injuring knee and spraining ankle vs. ChargersAugust 19, 2025 at 4:51 pm in reply to: That Mark Stufford guy is back practicing at qb…team still cautious #157581znModeratorLAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Stafford was a full participant today, going through all drills and team periods. Good signStu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams continue to take things day-by-day with Matthew Stafford, but Sean McVay says QB is trending in “positive direction” after practicing two days in a rowGary Klein@LATimesklein
McVay on Stafford: “I’ll be just like I think a lot of fans and a lot of his teammates and coaches, that you’re really hopeful that this is the direction … so we can build a good foundation and allow him to be the Matthew that we’re accustomed to seeing.”Sarah Barshop@sarahbarshop
Sean McVay said he thought Matthew Stafford “looked good” at practice today.“I thought he looked better than yesterday. I thought it was a step in the right direction. We’re going to continue to hope that he’s able to stack days and feel good. And it’s what’s happened so far.”
McVay called practices “positive progress” for Stafford but reiterated taking it a day at a time.
“The reality is we’re trying to get our hands on this and get him to feel as good as possible. Backs can be a volatile thing…but it certainly is trending in a positive direction.”
Wyatt Miller@wymill07
More from McVay on Stafford’s progress and how they’re handling the injury:znModeratorL.A. hasn’t played any starting offensive linemen and the Rams still rank No. 1 in Pro Football Focus’ pass blocking grade with 81.7 this preseason.
Tellin ya. This is the golden era of Rams OL coaching. Ryan is a great OL coach, and at the same time the Rams are finding OL at a rate we’ve never seen before.
Recently added guys getting good buzz right now include Humphries (vet FA), Bowles and Dedich (both UDFAs), Leveston (2024 7th round). Even Arcuri seems to be stepping up some now that he’s at guard (2022 7th round).
Lampkin gets a lot of press but while he made a splash at center against Dallas, I have been getting some doubts about him.
znModeratorL.A. hasn’t played any starting offensive linemen and the Rams still rank No. 1 in Pro Football Focus’ pass blocking grade with 81.7 this preseason. The Minnesota Vikings trail them at 76.0.
Two Rams guards ranked among the five linemen with at least 87 blocking snaps who haven’t allowed a pressure this preseason, per PFF: Wyatt Bowles and Justin Dedich. Bowles is an undrafted player out of Utah State, while Dedich went undrafted out of USC in 2024 and started three games — all of which were wins.
August 19, 2025 at 12:15 pm in reply to: That Mark Stufford guy is back practicing at qb…team still cautious #157577znModeratorI saw some doctor online state that there is “no such thing” as an “aggravated disc.”
The 3 qbs who have dealt with roughly similar issues were Rivers, Romo, and Hasselbeck. Their stories are different, and range from Rivers playing while getting epidurals to Romo needing surgery which basically ended his career. This thread has a couple of articles on that: https://theramshuddle.com/topic/stafford-close-to-being-cleared-2/
2 articles in that thread cover the history of other qbs with similar issues. One posted on August 11, 2025 at 9:58pm and the other on August 13, 2025 at 12:22 pm
August 19, 2025 at 1:40 am in reply to: That Mark Stufford guy is back practicing at qb…team still cautious #157575znModeratorfrom https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/12483/matthew-stafford
While it’s certainly encouraging to see Stafford back on the practice field for the first time since June minicamp, and taking part in team drills at that, McVay cautioned that the 37-year-old is still doing “everything in his power” to get back and called it a “very fluid situation that demands flexibility.” The Rams will take a cautious approach to ramping up Stafford’s activity level as he works his way back from a lingering disc injury in his back, so after he was at least a limited participant Monday it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get rest as the week continues. “It was great to be able to see [Stafford] out there today,” McVay said, “and we’ll see how this afternoon goes, and tomorrow.” Stafford still has nearly three weeks to get healthy in time for Week 1 against the Texans on Sunday, Sept. 7, but per Brock Vierra of SI.com, McVay declined to comment Monday on whether he still expects the veteran quarterback to be ready for the regular-season opener. DaSilva confirms that Stafford won’t be in consideration for Saturday’s preseason finale against the Browns, which is no surprise.
znModeratorLAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Davante Adams sits 3rd among active players in career TDs with 103.znModeratorThe 33rd Team@The33rdTeamFB
Rams G Wyatt Bowles has yet to allow a pressure on 62 pass protection snaps this preseason 🛡️Bowles, a UDFA out of Utah State, allowed 30 pressures and 3 sacks across 790 pass block snaps in his final two collegiate seasons
znModeratorgood instincts by Shaun Dolac pic.twitter.com/KnfUZyH9zp
— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 18, 2025
August 18, 2025 at 3:38 pm in reply to: That Mark Stufford guy is back practicing at qb…team still cautious #157567znModeratorfrom https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-sean-mcvay-matthew-stafford-alaric-jackson-terrance-ferguson
McVay was brief about Stafford’s future
“It was good to be able to have Matthew out there. He did a good job today,” McVay said. “I think there was a lot of intended information, but there’s no updates. We’re going to keep it a day, and really, a week at a time. But it’s great to be able to see him out there today, and we’ll see how this afternoon goes and tomorrow.”
McVay would double down on his “day at a time” stance, making it clear that those words were the official stance of the team. McVay would not comment if Stafford would play week one as they continue to take a slow and cautious approach with their QB1.
It should be noted that McVay has offered timelines and has been honest with reporters throughout this whole process, but it seems that as soon as he gives an update, the situation changes, and considering we only get daily reports, reports handed out before Stafford is able to go through those afternoon evaluations, it’s understandable for McVay to take this position considering recent events.
“I thought he did a good job today,” stated McVay on Stafford’s performance. “We had 26 plays of team and he did a really nice job of managing the huddle. I thought he saw the field well, I thought he went where the ball should go, and there was some good, competitive work on both sides today.”
August 18, 2025 at 3:34 pm in reply to: alaric jackson … blood clots? DJ Humphries … any good? #157566znModeratorSarah Barshop@sarahbarshop
Sean McVay said LT Alaric Jackson (blood clots) is “on track” in his rehab and the team looks forward “to getting him out on the field sooner than later.” Jackson is still restricted in terms of what he can do in team drills.“He is in great shape right now,” McVay said.
…
from https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-sean-mcvay-matthew-stafford-alaric-jackson-terrance-ferguson
Alaric Jackson
I asked McVay about where Alaric Jackson was in his recovery.
McVay stated Jackson was doing great and that he remains on track to return. He’s physically active but there’s restrictions pertaining to his return to team activity.
McVay stated Jackson was in great mental and physical shape, taking his recovery seriously. He remains week to week.
znModeratorWho are going to be the 5th and 6th receivers?
The top 4 are Nacua, Adams, Atwell, and Whittington.
Here are the receivers who caught passes Saturday? (And several looked great doing it btw). Alphabetical order:
Britain Covey
Tru Edwards
Konata Mumpfield
Brennan Presley
Xavier Smith
Drake Stoops
Mario WilliamsFWIW, only Edwards is a tall guy–6’2. He caught the game winning TD. Mumpfield is 5’11. The rest are 5’9 or 5’8. Edwards btw is the son of a former receiver for the Steelers, Troy Edwards.
The standouts (in no particular order) were Edwards, Mumpfield, Presley, Smith, and Williams.
Covey, Smith, and Williams are also returners, so that’s a factor. So btw is Schrader.
znModeratorWhat a great, yet terrible, problem McVay has! He's going to have to cut talented WRs, OL, LBs, DLs and even CBs. Some talented guys will not make this team…. https://t.co/ONTfbyJvKw
— Richard Ramsey (@Richard95549251) August 18, 2025
August 17, 2025 at 9:24 pm in reply to: Just a thread for different kindsa interesting things #157560znModerator9. Holtsós is a magical place in Iceland where a green field, a yellow river, a black beach, and the ocean meet. pic.twitter.com/1jdKLFeb8u
— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) August 17, 2025
znModerator“Who needs Randy Moss!?”
Brennan Presley had a game he will never forget! Over 100 yards receiving, including this miraculous Hail Mary snatch! At 5’8. Strong hands!
The set up for the game winning TD pic.twitter.com/Siim7vbBqj
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) August 17, 2025
znModeratorThe depth and quality of talent on the Rams roster continues to shine, backing up what’s been said all along. Unlike some teams, the Rams only use the preseason to evaluate players who aren’t starters or primary backups. Even so, their depth players have proven to be among the NFL’s top preseason performers.
znModeratorP Ethan Evans – Gross punting average
Ethan Evans has punted five times this preseason and is averaging 63.4 yards per punt. That’s an enormous accomplishment, as he’s nearly seven yards ahead of the next closest punter, Kansas City’s Matt Araiza. But not everything is perfect. Thanks to poor punt coverage, Evans’ net average sits at just 38.0 yards per punt, ranking him among the worst in the NFL.
znModeratorstrike!!!
nice pass pro by line 7-man protection with back leaking out late
and a money throw vs Cov-3 buzz pic.twitter.com/9MDferMTea— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 17, 2025
full speed — in-out-in
made CB think "corner" but pic.twitter.com/Suz0cd3Yju— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 17, 2025
znModeratorESPN ranked the Rams linebacker corps dead last at 32… but there’s no way this group is the worst in the NFL. Young, hungry, and ready to prove it. 💪🐏#RamsHouse #NFLRankings #Linebackers #LARams #Underdogs pic.twitter.com/biDXFId3rZ
— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) August 17, 2025
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